Mark Craig: A diva double standard 
Taking shots at attention seekers like Terrell Owens is common, but what about Brett Favre? Why does he get a pass?

By MARK CRAIG, Star Tribune
Last update: September 12, 2010 - 9:39 AM

Terrell Owens is right. There is a double standard when it comes to the way the media in general treat Brett Favre as compared to other NFL divas.

I'm not sure why that is. Perhaps it's because divas such as T.O. and Chad Ochocinco are loud, obnoxious and act like juvenile jackasses for the nearest camera. Favre is every bit the diva they are, and more, but he gets many a free pass probably because he's quiet, southernly subtle in his arrogance and uses the cameras to enhance his image as the ultimate NFL warrior.

That doesn't make it right. That doesn't make it fair. And Owens shouldn't be criticized for pointing it out while he and Ochocinco were on "The Daily Line" on Versus.

Speaking specifically about Favre's decision to skip training camp the past two or three years, T.O. said, "Had it been one of us doing some of the same things, pulling these stunts that Brett Favre has done the last two or three years, then we would be labeled 'not a team player,' 'selfish' ... he's set himself above team standards."

He's right.

I've defended T.O. in recent years. I always felt everything he did was blown out of proportion because he isn't liked by ESPN's army of analysts. When T.O. was in Dallas, ESPN crushed him on a daily basis, essentially blaming him for everything but the Kennedy assassination. And let's face it, in today's world, too many fans don't or can't form an opinion until ESPN gives it to them.

On the other hand, ESPN loves it some 24/7 Favre. But in fairness, I've also defended Favre's late arrival and the Vikings' decision to let it happen. My argument, right or wrong, was there's simply no precedent to follow when dealing with a quarterback who is this old, this good, this indecisive and isn't backed up by Aaron Rodgers.

That doesn't mean Favre hasn't been selfish. He's been the most selfish player in the league the past two years.

Last year, the Vikings were fortunate that Favre's selfishness didn't cost them in the loss column. That changed in Thursday night's season opener in New Orleans. Favre was unprepared and the opponent wasn't from Cleveland. So the Vikings lost to the Saints 14-9 on a night when all facets were good enough to win except Favre and the passing game.

Favre will get up to speed with his receivers in time. The question is: Can the Vikings' hopes of winning the NFC North afford him that time?

The next two games are at home against Miami and Detroit. The Dolphins and Lions are improved, but the Vikings should be able to win with physical play at home.

That would send them into their bye at 2-1. In the past, coach Brad Childress has given his players the bye week off. He'd be nuts to do that this year. This team needs the extra week of practice because it comes out of the bye with a trip to New York to play the Jets on Monday night.

If you think the Saints made Favre look out of sync on national TV, wait and see what Rex Ryan, Darrelle Revis, Kris Jenkins and the Jets do to him if he's not up to speed by Oct. 11.